Surfing for a hideaway somewhere in South Cotabato, I chanced
upon this fascinating destination in Koronadal City. The name sounded creepy at
first, calling to mind the slew of horror movies I’ve seen in the past,
particularly “The Cabin in the Woods”. LOL!
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| The road to Koronadal |
All my hesitations vanished into thin air the moment I
stepped into its placid and picturesque grounds. For this gadabout, it’s the
perfect hideaway he’s been looking forward to run away to for a “calm before
the storm” weekend.
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| Mt. Matutum as seen in Tupi, South Cotabato |
In a Zen kind of place in Mindanao where peace reigns supreme, I
managed to escape even for a day the sores and stresses of the rat race. There,
I indulged in a pastime that has always been my favorite stress-buster:
photography.
I'm no endorser but
if I were one, I'd gladly recommend this resort to out-of-towners. If you’re
one of those yearning for peace and quiet in some secluded corner of
SOCCSKSARGEN, then this is one of those eco-friendly places worth visiting—The
Farm @ Carpenter Hill.
A sprawling 12-hectare private estate located in the
outskirts of the city, this one’s not your ordinary farm but a hotel complex
comprising of rooms and villas, a bonsai garden, pavilions, a restobar-café, a
convention hall, a butterfly sanctuary and an aviary.
The hotel staff billeted me at a spacious den in the
Japanese Courtyard. All the rooms there face an indoor Zen-inspired garden and
pond teeming with brightly-colored koi. Mind you, gazing at that scintillating
koi pond for a few minutes had a calming effect on me.
The resort-hotel also has well-appointed
Oriental-inspired cottages whose minimalist design ooze with Zen-like appeal.
Those looking for a bit more of privacy may opt to stay in one of the villas
which have their own individual gates, terrace and gardens.
When darkness creeps in, there’s not much to do at the
resort-hotel, except to curl up in bed with a bestseller, watch cable TV in
your room, sip a beer or two at the hotel lounge, or take a leisurely stroll
around the vast hotel complex.
Night owls staying there can also hang out at the Aviary,
the resort’s bar and café. The food isn’t exactly gourmet but good enough.
House specialties include popular Pinoy cuisine served with a local twist as
well as Asian and continental dishes.
Food and service were generally good at the Aviary where I had
dinner. The staff, however, need to brush up a little on their hospitality.
Meanwhile, the buffet breakfast was free and ample but the choices they served
weren’t quickly refilled and kept warm.
By midnight, all is still at The Farm. Except for a few
lights, the whole complex is engulfed in darkness. No worries though. Private
security guards roam its vastness, making you feel safe and secure throughout
your stay there.
All through the night, you’ll be lulled into dreamland by
the tweedle of crickets. In the morning, you’ll be awakened by the chirping of
birds (and in my case the rush of water from the koi pond just outside my
room).
Serenity in seclusion—this, I guess, is the selling point
of the resort. And this makes it the perfect hideaway for those in search of a
sanctuary offering a short but satisfying respite from the rigors of the daily
grind.
So, weekend wanderers, if you want some fascinating place
far and away from the madding crowd, you have another destination to add to
your list. Remember the name: “The Farm @ Carpenter Hill”. :-D
